The Joint Distribution Committee has aided some 15,000 European Jewish DP’s seeking to emigrate during the past six months, Dr. Joseph C. Schwartz, European director of the J.D.C., revealed here today. Dr. Schwartz arrived are on a tour of the organization’s activities in Germany.
He said that since May, 1946, when the J.D.C. emigration service in Europe began operations, some 40,000 Jews have received assistance in leaving for new homes. Of the 15,000, 10,000 have already reached their countries of resettlement and the remainder are awaiting transportation in “waiting areas” such as France. In addition, about 60,000 persons are registered on J.D.C. rolls in 32 offices throughout Europe. Applications are being processed by a staff of 250, 80 percent of whom are former DP’s.
Since May, 1946, the organization has aided 5,479 Jews reach the United States under President Truman’s order facilitating refugee emigration. This figure represents 37 percent of all persons to enter the U.S. during the period and is the greatest number to be aided by any of the voluntary relief agencies sponsoring immigration to the U.S., Dr. Schwartz said.
In addition, he disclosed, 2,500 Jews have reached Palestine under Jewish agency auspices since January of this year, adding that the J.D.C. assisted in their transportation.
Reviewing the general immigration situation, he pointed out that a number of countries such as Norway recently indicated a willingness to accept refugees whose skills are needed. Norway has already received 400 of them. He added that the J.D.C. has undertaken to train and re-educate workers so as to make them eligible for immigration as technicians and skilled workers.
“On the other hand,” the J.D.C. leader continued, “many countries are shutting the door to Jewish emigrants. As a consequence, despite enormous effort by the J.D.C. emigration service, we have been able to resettle but a small percentage of those who wish to build new lives in other countries. Only large-scale immigration to Palestine and passage of the Stratton Bill to admit 400,000 DP’s to the U.S. will help solve the problem of 250,000 displaced Jews in the camps of Germany, Austria and Italy,” he concluded.
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